About Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is the prolonged and progressive accumulation of excessive amounts of items or live animals with a perpetual difficulty with discarding or parting with the possessions they have accumulated, resulting in a variety of negative impacts on the person’s day to day living.

Hoarding disorder is the accumulation of excessive amounts of items or live animals resulting in a variety of negative impacts on the person’s day to day living. Items hoarded usually have perceived (and not necessarily real) value to the person.

The person with this disorder has perpetual difficulty with discarding or parting with these possessions and often develop high levels of distress even at the thought of getting rid of any of the items.

The process of hoarding often begins with collecting items that are perceived to be important and saving them just in case they may be needed sometime in the future.

Any space available to the individual may be filled with hoarded items. This can include any or all the rooms in the person's house, outdoor areas, shed, car, and even the homes of relatives. The affected areas can be quite large. 

Who is this resource for?

• Workers engaging clients who present with hoarding and/or squalor issues.
• Carers of people living with hoarding and/or squalor.
• Anyone who believes they may be living in a hoarding and/or squalor situation.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Hoarding & Squalor
2. Defining Hoarding & Squalor
3. Client Referral Flow Chart
4. Care Coordination
5. Risk Management
6. Client Engagement

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